Product stacker



Aug. 14, 1951 E. J. RAPP PRODUCT STACKER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 4.1950 INVENTOR. Ear! J ii'app.

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R 6% \m MR W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRODUCT STACKER Earl JosephRapp, Toledo, Ohio, assignor, by

mesnc assignments, to. Lynch Corporation, Anderson, Ind., a corporationof Indiana Application March 4, 1950, Serial No. 147,715

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a product stacker and particularly to one forstacking four quarterpound prints of butter or oleomargarine to bewrapped in a flat package with the four quarters side by side in asingle layer.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and novel mechanismfor stacking units of a product issuing from a pair of intake con veyorsin a side-by-side stack so that, for instance, two units from eachconveyor can be stacked horizontally and the four units moved as oneunit into a cartoning or wrapping mechanlsm.

Another object is to provide carrier elements for the units of productissuin from the discharge ends of two intake conveyors, such car'-' rierelements carrying the units to a position where those from one conveyorare stacked ahead of the units from the other conveyor so that the unitsthus stacked may all be moved together as one unit for cartoning and/orwrapping operations.

Still another object is to provide carrier elements which are laterallmovable from spaced apart positions to positions where they are inalignment with each other, whereupon the units of product from bothcarriers may be moved therefrom by a pusher element, the carriers beinmounted for lateral movement and also for vertical movement, and aninclined guideway mechanism cooperating with projections of the carriersto impart to them the lateral movement as vertical movement is impartedthereto whereby articles from two side-by-side intake conveyors may bebrought into alignment at an elevated 85 position for feeding into thecartoning or wrapping mechanism.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of myproduct stacker, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, ashereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a product stacker embodying my presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a continuation of the left hand end thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical rear end view with the intake conveyors removedand taken substansprocket 2 Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view takenat the line BB of Figure 1 and showing the parts on a reduced scale.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line ll of 5 Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure '7; and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic rear view to show the essential elements ofthe product stacker, and their operation and positions relative to eachother during such operation.

On the accompanying drawings I have used the reference numeral It] toindicate a main frame of a wrapping or cartoning machine and II a driveshaft journalled therein. The shaft H is driven in any suitable manner,usually from an electric motor (not shown) and at a suitable speed forthe wrapping or cartoning mechanism with which the present invention isnot concerned.

On the other hand, the present invention is embodied in the mechanismwhich will now be described. There are two intake conveyors l2 and I3each of which comprises chains [4 to which bars l5 of wood or the likeare secured. There are two of the chains M for each conveyor l2 and I3.

The chains M for the conveyor [2 are trained around sprockets l6 and I1and for the conveyor 7 l3 around sprockets l8 and L9. The shaft for theI5 is indicated at 20 and for the sprockets I! and I9 is indicated at2|. The sprocket I6 is secured to the shaft 211 and this shaftconstitutes a drive for both intake conveyors l2 and I3.

The shaft 20 is driven by a chain 22 meshing with a sprocket 23 on theshaft 20 and with a sprocket 24' on a counter shaft 26. The countershaft 26 is journalled in a bearing 28 of the frame It and carries asprocket 29 around which a chain 25 extends. This chain also extendsaround a sprocket 21 which is mounted on the main drive shaft ll. chainsH! for the right hand intake conveyor [2 are driven.

The chains 14 just referred to drive the sprockets l1 and they in turnrotate the shaft 2|. The sprockets is being secured to the shaft 2| arethus rotated so as to drive the left hand intake conveyor 13 from theconveyor l2. The sprockets [8 at the forward end of the conveyor [3 actas idlers. v

The conveyor bars I5 of both intake conveyors l2 and 13 are adaptedtosupport quarter pounds or ""prints of butter or similar productindicated Thus the shaftlll and the conveyor at 39 and the conveyorsfeed the product to the wrappin or cartoning machine. The prints 36 arefirst fed on to plates 3| shown in Figures 4 and 5. The prints 30 areguided at the sides by side plates 32 and a hold-down. plate 33 ismounted above each plate 3| as shown in these two figures. The plates 33are supported by posts 34 extending upwardly from conveyor supportingframe members 35.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the plates 33 and 3| forthe right hand intake conveyor 2 are staggered with relation to similarplates 33 and 3| for the left hand intake conveyor I3, those for theright hand conveyor being ahead (to the right in Figure 1) of those forthe left hand conveyor as the direction of print travel is toward theright in Figure 1. Just ahead of the plates 3| are carrier elementsindicated generally at R36 and L36, R indicating right and L indicatingleft. Each carrier comprises a plate-like platform 31 approximately thesize of two quarter-pound prints 30 and an upstanding flange 38 at theouter end of each (right end for R36 and left end for L36).

Either one of the carriers will now be described as to details and thedescription applies also to the other. At the rear end of the platform31, an apron38' depends. From the bottom of the platform ahead of theapron a bracket 39 depends. The bracket 39 is provided with a pair ofbores 46 (see Figure 4) which slide on rods 4|. The rods 4| are carriedby a head 42 and their outer ends have a connector 43 traveling in achannel shaped guide 44 as shown in Figure 8.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the rods 4| for the carrierR36 are staggered ahead of the rods for the carrier L36, the head 42being of suificient fore-and-aft length to accommodate both pairs ofrods and of course the channel guides 44 are offset from each other.channel guides are stationary with relation to the frame I6. 1

Ahead of the carriers R36 and L36 are sta- These bar 50.

pushed off the carriers on to the platform plates 41 and 48. The pusherfor this purpose is indicated at 69 and it is carried by a rod 61supported by a slide 68 slidable on stationary rods H9. The slide 68 isconnected by a link 69 with the upper end of the lever "H which lever atits lower end is forked at 12 as shown in Figure 3 to straddle one ofthe frame members l6 and rock on the shaft 55. The lever carries a boss13 with which one end of a link 14 is pivotally connected. The other endof the link as shown in Figure 6 terminates in an eccentric strap 15surrounding an eccentric 16 on the shaft Practical operation In theoperation of my product stacker, the prints are delivered to the plates3| under the plates 33 and pushed across the plates 3| on to theplatforms 31 of the carriers R36 and L36. The front print on eachconveyor engages its respective apron which limits the movement of theprints, the intake conveyors operatin continuously and thus slippingunder the prints to keep them tight against the aprons 45.

As soon as two prints are completely delivered to the two platforms 31,the platforms are raised by the cam 60 operating through the links 56and 52 and the bell crank 53-54 to elevate the slide The elevation ofthis bar elevates all four rods 4| for carrying the brackets 39 upwardlyand since their rollers 63 are coacting with the inclined slots of thecam 62, the carriers R36 and L36 also move inwardly.

Referring to Figure 9, this is shown diagrammatically, the originalposition being the dotted position and the raised position the full lineposition. It will be noted that the carriers R36 and L39 in the fullline position have moved together as well as being elevated and the fourprints 30 tionary aprons 45 and they are supported by rods 46 from theside members of the frame l0. Supporting platforms 4'! are alsosupported by the rods 4-6 to receive the prints 30 as will hereinafterappear and additional platforms 48 are supported by rods 49 to suitablyreceive the prints of butter during the wrapping and/or cartoningthereof.

For vertically reciprocating the head 42, I provide a slide bar 50guided in vertical slideways 5| carried by a bracket 11 extending fromone of the frame members It] and connected by a link 52 with an arm 53.The arm 53 is part of a bell crank, the other arm of which is indicatedat 54, the bell crank being rockably mounted on a shaft 55. The arm 54is pivotally connected to the rear end of a link 56 which carries a fork58 at its front end. The fork is slidable with respect to the driveshaft II and carries a roller 5! c0- acting with a cam groove 59 of acam 66 secured to the drive shaft. Thus rotation of the drive shafteffects vertical reciprocation of the rods 4| and thereby of thecarriers R36 and L36.

At the same time the carriers are vertically reciprocated they are alsomovedinwardly toward each other and this is accomplished by extensions6| on the brackets 39 carryin rollers 63 which travel in inclinedstationary cams 62. The earns 62 are supported by a cross piece 64 ofthe frame I 0 as shown in'Figures 1, 4 and '7.

The carriers R36 and L36 are adapted to elevate the prints 30 to thedotted position illustrated as 36a in Figure 4 where they can be I thenassume the dotted position indicated at 30a in Figure 4.

As the carriers are elevated, their aprons 38 hold back the prints 36except the first two in each case and said first two on each carrierslide upwardly along the stationary aprons 45, the third print on eachconveyor being held down against undesirable upward movement by theplates 33.

When the prints are at the position 36a, the pusher 66 engages all fourof them and pushes them across the platforms 4! and 48 where part of theWrapping or cartoning operation takes place and further into the machinefor completing the wrapping or cartoning operations upon the next strokeof the pusher 66. Such next stroke delivers four more of the prints tothe position indicated as 36a and the cycle is repeated in a Well knownmanner.

It will be obvious from the foregoing specification that I have provideda product stacker in which desired lateral movement of carriers isaccomplished by their vertical movement in conjunction with inclinedstationary cams so that units of product from two intake conveyorsspaced from eachother may be aligned for the units of product from bothconveyors to be pushed as a unit into the wrapping or cartoningmechanism. The necessary motion for the carriers is had With a simplearrangement of vertical slide bar carrying lateral guides for thecarriers and the carriers being provided with rollers that roll in theinclined stationary slots. Thus with a minimum of mechanical parts, thedesired horizontal stacking result is secured.

some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of" theparts of my product stacker without departing from. the rear spirit and'urposecf my invention, and it is my interrtion to cover by my claims anymodified forms of structure orguse of mechanical equivalents which maybe reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1., In a roduct stacker of the character disclosed, a pair of intakeconveyors having discharge ends staggered. with relation to each other,said conveyors being arranged side by side, a carrier element at theforward end of each of said conveyors and adapted to receive units ofproduct from the conveyors, said carrier elements being provided withaprons to hold back additional units, hold-down plates above the firstof such additional units, means for'laterally moving said carrierelements to positions aligned with each other whereby the units fromboth carrier elements may be discharged on the same level therefrom, anda pusher for effecting such discharge.

2'. In a product stacker, a pair of intake conveyors arranged side byside, a carrier element at the forward end of each of said conveyors andadapted to receive units of product from the conveyors, said carrierelements being staggered, and means for laterally moving said carrierelements to a position Where one is aligned behind the other whereby theunits from both may be discharged on the same level therefrom.

3. In a product stacker of the character disclosed, a pair ofside-by-side intake conveyors having discharge ends staggered withrelation to each other, a product carrier at the forward end of each ofsaid conveyors and adapted to receive units of product therefrom, saidcarriers being provided with aprons to hold back additional units, andmeans for laterally moving said carriers to positions of longitudinalalignment whereby the units from both carriers may be dischargedtherefrom at the same elevation.

4. In a product stacker of the character disclosed, a pair of intakeconveyors having discharge ends staggered with relation to each other,said conveyors being arranged side by side, a product carrier at theforward end of each of said conveyors and adapted to receive units ofproduct therefrom, said carriers being provided with aprons to hold backadditional units, means for laterally moving said carrier elements topositions aligned whereby the units from both may be discharged on thesame level therefrom, said means moving said carrier elementsvertically, and inclined stationary cams for moving them laterally as aresult of such vertical movement.

5. In a product stacker, a pairof intake conveyors having side-by-sidedischargeends staggered with relation to each other, a carrier at theforward end of each of said conveyors and adapted to receive units ofproduct issuing from the conveyors, said carriers being provided withaprons to hold back additional units, stationary hold-back aprons at thefront of each carrier, hold-down plates above the first of suchadditional units, means for laterally moving said carriers to positionsaligned whereby the units from both may be discharged on the same leveltherefrom, a pusher for effecting such discharge, said means moving saidcarrier elements vertically, and inclined stationary cams for movingthem laterally as a result of such vertical movement.

6. In a product stacker of the character disclosed, a pair of intakeconveyors having dis charge ends staggered with relation to each otherand arranged side by side, a carrier element at the forward end of eachof said conveyors and adapted to receive units of product therefrom,said carrier elements being laterally movable to positions of alignmentwhereby'the unitsfrom both may be discharged on the same leveltherefrom,a pusher for efiecting such discharge'means for moving said carrierelements vertically, and inclined stationary cams coacting withproieetions from said carrier elements for moving them laterally as aresult of such vertical movement.

7. In a product stacker, a pair of intake conveyors having dischargeends staggered with relation to each other, and arranged side by side,carriers at the forward end of each of said conveyors adapted to receiveunits of product from the conveyors, said carriers being laterallymovable to positions aligned with each other whereby the units from onemay be discharged behind the units from the other, a pusher foreflecting such discharge, means for vertically reciprocating saidcarriers, oppositely inclined tracks mounted on the frame of saidstacker, and projections from said carriers movable in said tracks formoving the carrier elements inwardly to alignment with each other asthey are reciprocated in one direction and for spreading them apart toalign them with said intake con veyors when they are reciprocated in theopposite direction.

8. A product stacker comprising a pair of sideby-side intake conveyorshaving discharge ends staggered with relation to each other, a carrierelement at the forward end of each of said conveyors and adapted toreceive units of product from the conveyors, means comprising avertically reciprocable element on which said carrier elements arelaterally slidable to aligned positions whereby the units from both maybe discharged on the same level therefrom, oppositely inclinedstationary tracks, and projections from said carrier elements movable insaid tracks for moving the carrier elements inwardly to alignment witheach other as they are reciprocated in one direction and for spreadingthem apart to align them with said intake conveyors when they arereciprocated in the opposite direction.

9. In a product stacker of the character disclosed, a pair of intakeconveyors arranged side by side and having staggered delivery ends,staggered carrier elements adapted to receive units of producttherefrom, a reciprocable slide, lateral guide elements carried therebyalong which said carrier elements are slidable, projections from saidcarrier elements, oppositely inclined cam means coacting therewith foreffecting lateral movement of said carrier elements in oppositedirections along said guides as said reciprocable member is reciprocatedvertically, the final position of said carrier elements at one end ofthe reciprocating motion being in alignment with each other, a pusherelement for pushing the units from both carrier elements into a wrappingor cartoning machine, said carrier elements spreading apart as saidreciprocable member is reciprocated in the opposite direction andaligning with said intake conveyors at the end of such reciprocatingmotion in said opposite direction.

10. In a product stacker, a pair of side-byside intake conveyors havingstaggered delivery ends, a carrier element for each conveyor adapted toreceive units of product therefrom, a recip along which-said carrierelements are. slidable, coacting projection and oppositely inclined cammeans for effecting lateral movement of said carrier elements inopposite directions along said guides as said vertically reciprocablemember is moved, the limits of position of said carrier elements at theends of the reciprocating motion being in alignment with each other andwith said intake conveyors respectively.

EARL JOSEPH RAPP.

No references: cited.

